UN Staff Killed – NZ To The Rescue – Millennium Summit – Dr Parry – Palmerston North Murders – Alexandra Compensation-
Tornadoes – Hutt Floods
UN STAFF KILLED – NZ TO THE RESCUE: Four refugee workers in West Timor were hacked to death by pro-Jakarta militia
members. 43 more were rescued by Kiwi helicopters. Two trips were made to the base to pick up the evacuees. The
operation took two hours and went according to plane. The mission relied heavily on the Indonesian army. Rodblocks were
established by TNI around the perimeter and soldiers were also on guard within the perimeter of the landing zone. Mark
Burton says NZ is delighted to be able to make a difference. The violence has sparked calls to Jakarta to stop the
talking and start acting to prevent this from happening again. There are 90 UN workers still at Atambua.
MILLENNIUM SUMMIT: Kofi Annan broke the news at the opening of the Summit. Jane Young says the events in East Timor have
really focussed the summit. Kofi Annan puts the heat on Indonesia. Annan was followed by Bill Clinton who’s message to
Wahid was unmistakeable. For Wahid the killings are a major embarassment. Clark says that Wahid is sharp and that her
message to him was too. The UN Human Rights Commissioner also said words were not enough and that action was needed.
Wahid later said two of his battalions were en-route to East Timor. Clark paid tribute to NZ’s rescuers in her speech to
the UN. Clark says she has no plans to pull out. The US President is furious and the American Nation is focussed on this
because
DR PARRY: A woman dying in hospital of cervical cancer has her affidavit – she cannot speak for her self – read by her
husband. A Northland Gynaecologist, Dr Parry is accused of disgraceful conduct for failing to conduct tests he should
have conducted for the woman which might have saved her life. She is not expected to be alive for the Medical Council
hearing in a months time. The husband is pleased to have now received an apology from Dr Parry – through his lawyer. The
case was highlighted on 20/20 on Sunday.
PALMERSTON NORTH MURDERS: Relatives of Palmerston North murder victims Christine and Amber Lundy farewell them. A
relative says Amber will be dancing with the angels in her eulogy. Mark Lundy arrived at the funeral supported by a
close relative from Australia. A Scout guard of honour marks its respect.
ALEXANDRA COMPENSATION: A relief package of $13.6 million is announced for Alexandra. Resident Alice Jordan is relieved
something has been done – “I thought they were going to wait till I died”. Jim Anderton says he is delighted at the
attitude Contact has taken. The Mayor says that $13.6 million won’t be enough to protect the town. It will be months
before work starts on stopbanks but.
TORNADOES: A series of tornadoes struck Hokitika this afternoon tearing off roofing but injuring no-one.
HUTT FLOODS: Flooding in the Hutt Valley leads to evacuations in parts of the city. The Met Service says periodic
downpours are likely to continue through the evening.